A week ago Microsoft released Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 users. While still not in its final version, the browser is served as a Release Preview in 32 bit and 64 bit form.

Initially Microsoft released Internet Explorer 10 only for Windows 8 as part of it. Being directly integrated into the system, many users have questioned Microsoft’s decision not to make the 10th version of the browser also available for Windows 7 a year ago. As a consequence to this, it was imminent the Windows 7 version to be available in this period of the year.

At a first look, the Release Preview of Internet Explorer 10 is nearly identical to the version of the browser integrated into the Windows 8. The only core difference is that Adobe Flash is not integrated into the Windows 7 / Windows Server 2012 version like it is in the Windows 8 version. The reason of having a built-in version of Adobe Flash into Windows 8 version of IE 10 is that the browser does not support browser plugins.

In case you want to try out the browser in Windows 7, you should know that the installation of Internet Explorer 10 Preview will replace the current version of the browser on the system. A restart will be required to complete the installation. If you are not satisfied with its functionality, you can uninstall it from the Updates panel of your operating system.

download Internet Explorer 10 Release Preview

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2CFILM, a newly founded film company, recently launched its first project. Named APP, the project is actually a motion picture that involves the usage of your mobile as an additional screen. Your device will be fully synchronized with the movie in order to receive extra content while watching the movie in your beloved cinema.

APP will be the first film in a series of similar titles produced by 2CFILM to feature this technology. Good news is that this technology will be brought by an application based on  SyncNow^® digital watermarking developed by Service2Media and Civolution for iPhone and Android devices.

The movie is about obviously an app that becomes autonomous and dangerous. Nothing new on the narrative side, but the good thing is that the audience will be able to follow a parallel storyline via the app on their mobile phone while still watching the movie. Overall you will get a new dimension of the movie right in your pocket. APP is due for release in the Netherlands on 24 February 2013, and will be distributed by Just Film Distribution.

The partnership between 2CFILM, Service2Media and Civolution  will not end here. They will bring this technology not only in cinemas, but also on DVD’s, television and online TV channels. As Edvard van ‘t Wout, Founder, 2CFILM, states:

“App is our first step on to the international stage with our new approach to film, creating commercially-successful films that fit with how today’s audiences consume content and which resonate with the modern world.”

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The post-PC tide makes collateral victims and Steven Sinofsky is one of them. Almost three weeks after the launch of Windows 8 and RT on October 26, the man responsible for these products and president of Windows and Windows Live division, is gone. Preceded by a short announcement by Microsoft, his departure becomes even weirder.

We should take in consideration that Sinofsky is the architect behind Windows 7, a product that was meant to revive the Microsoft platform, after the unsuccessful launch of Vista. Not to mention his direct involvement in the developing process of Windows 8. Against all these facts, “he left the building” instantly without any transition period. It looks like he was fired during a crucial launch. The only official explanation about Sinofsky’s departure comes from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer who explains that this move is necessary in order to: “continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycle for our offerings.”

Sinofsky’s departure comes short after the exit of iOS chief Scott Forstall from Apple, but unlike Sinofsky, Forstall departed during a transitional period.

As a result, Microsoft’s stock is down 3.2 percent, but this drop is modest considering that many imagined Sinofsky to be the CEO heir when Ballmer quits his job. An immediate side effect is that the management will change which will affect the cycle of development for the next Windows operating system.

Unfortunately there is only speculation about the reason of his departure, but the truth is out there, and it may surface in the end because Microsoft is a leaky environment.

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The Solar Max is a fantastic way to get informed on space and the extraordinary galaxy that surrounds us. This nifty and stylish piece of software displays almost real-time data taken directly from the NASA/ESA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory – all downloaded with speed to the Android device.

Each of these satellites follows the Sun’s activity continuously, while Solar Max provides users with high resolution images around the clock. The images come from a total of 19 solar image sensors across three spacecraft. The latest version of this extraordinary software comes with a load of brand new features, including an awesome new Pinch and Zoom system for users to get extra close to the sun, as well as the ability to actually download saved images of the sun, and watch the sun in all of its glory.

As said before, the images displayed are of high resolution, so download time will vary depending on the power of the particular service provider – but all image data is well worth the wait.

The Solar Max is an educational and stylish software to play with; a delight for anyone with a passion for technology, and an interest in the workings of our solar system.

download SolarMax

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With the LEGO digital designer, users can play with LEGO without the hassle of actually buying it. Really, this nifty little program links to the online store, providing a complex and engaging way to design and build. The digital designer is a graphics-rich, feature-filled program which doesn’t leave you bored for a minute.

The package includes basic bricks, infrared sensors and model jet engines. The user feels in control of his creation as he zooms in and out freely and with ease. You can place bricks together, rotate them, and generally master the object you are, bit by bit, piecing together. All bricks are held together in the Brick Palette – providing an easy way to keep track of your building materials. On top of this, there are included seventeen prebuilt models for those just starting out.

When you’re happy with your design, you have the option of taking a screenshot of the finished piece – with the extra-fun bonus of placing it in front of the background of your choice. You then have the option of submitting it and sharing it with Lego.com, taking it apart in seconds, or watching a detailed video of how to build/rebuild whichever design you wish.

This program makes for a highly effective online alternative to LEGO bricks. The program’s complexity is a delight. As an added bonus, it’s entirely free, meaning that it’s definitely the best decision if you’re not looking to pay for the unique designing experience of LEGO.

download LEGO Digital Designer

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SamToolBox 0.11 is the latest piece of kit designed to help you edit the channels on your Samsung TV more efficiently.

The software comes with a range of impressive features. The in-built archive is designed to support all generations of your TV set, meaning whichever particular set you have you will be able to use the software, while there is also standalone file support for file mapping.

Displaying and editing channels is also simple, utilising an easy-to-use channel filter and a cut and paste system that can be used to make a Favourite Channels list. Indeed, elsewhere the editing software incorporates simple commands like cut, copy, paste, delete, add channel and swap channel to make editing as painless as possible.

Once you have created and opened your chosen maps, you can also easily export them into a CSV format, a list for channel sort function or a reference channel list.

SamToolBox 0.11 is a fine piece of kit for channel editing on Samsung TVs. The interface could be made a little more user-friendly, but the software can certainly handle all of your editing needs quickly and efficiently. The added bonus that it is free to download makes this a particularly appealing piece of kit.

download SamToolBox

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If you are looking for a free to download Computer Aided Design (CAD) program then you could have a look at LibreCAD, an application that will allow you to create relatively complex CAD projects free of charge. Available in both Mac and PC versions this lightweight application provides a range of tools to create 2D drawings. Users are likely to be people with an interested in industrial design.

On initial launch the display window shows the main work area with tools like Draw, Dimension, Layer, and Block visible. These tools and others can be opened from the easily accessible menu bar. The application has a flexible interface that will allow you to customize the work area and lay the desktop out in a style which suits the user. All of the main elements can be dragged and dropped where the user sees fit, or hidden and displayed as required.

In terms of operation, creating new projects is relatively straightforward. Basic elements like arcs, circles, and lines can be neatly dropped into place. These elements can be grouped into a single item as the model is constructed. There is a useful zoom operation which allows you to alter the distance and perspective of the project.

The software also comes with a helpful set of tabs that allow you to access the colour and size of the work area. There are built in grids and guides which can be used to assist with drawings and measurements. These do not come with a ‘snap-to’ feature which would be helpful in making precise adjustments.

The software comes equipped with an ‘Explode text into letters’ feature, which allows you to add word effects on your productions. It is also possible to freeze blocks and layers within projects as they are being developed. As with any free open source software there are some positive features to reflect on, and also a few points for improvement.

Any free CAD software is going to be compared with Google Sketchup. Although this is a neat little application it doesn’t have anything like the functionality, ease-of-use, adaptability or export capacity of sketchup. It is quite a practical piece of kit and can be used to manage complicated computer aided design projects.

download LibreCAD

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Tiltshift Generator is an application designed to lend an artistic quality to miniature  objects in pictures.

In order to understand the application you need to have a clear understanding of tilt-shift photography. The concept has grown out of the basic principle of tilting (or rotating) the lens while shifting (or horizontally moving) the lens. This process creates a very distinct blur in the periphery of the photograph whilst keeping the object of the shot in very sharp focus.

For installation and operation on a PC or tablet you will first need to install Adobe AIR. The original format iPhone App doesn’t require any additional software and will run directly on installation.

The software is very straightforward to use and, for a keen photographer, it saves on the need to buy expensive lenses that are required to generate this sort of effect in pictures. There is some debate in the artistic community as to the relative quality achieved by the app when compared with photographs that have been taken with tilt-shift lenses by skilled cameramen. For the uninitiated, however, it is very difficult to tell whether a photograph has been adapted by the app, or snapped by a professional.

The software allows you to adapt pictures in a linear and radial perspective. Linear adjustments are made between parallel lines, while radial effects can be added within a circle inside the image. For the best results with an image the subject of the picture should be not be in the same plane as its surroundings.

The software also allows you to adjust elements of the image including; Colour, Saturation, Contrast, Brightness and Vignette (which allows you to adjust the corners of the image).

This is a fun piece of software and can be used to create a brilliant effect on images, if you know what you are doing. For a photographer who doesn’t want to splash out on expensive kit this an excellent way of making the image that you want quickly and simply.

download TiltShift Generator

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